Hey all! I had an encounter with my personal trainer today that really rubbed me the wrong way. I’m a pretty shy person so I didn’t know how to respond right away, but I knew y’all would be able to help me form an educated and respectful response 
So I’ve been working with my personal weight trainer for around a year now. I have made immense progress. Although I weigh the same, I am very obviously thinner and have more lean muscle. I am not a naturally skinny person, so the progress I have made is great! Not to be annoying about this, but I am EXTREMELY proud of myself; and I achieved all of this with a healthy vegan diet.
As we were training this morning (other ladies were around as well and we were all talking to each other) she interrupted to say that she had a “breakfast challenge” for us. It involved eating a certain amount of eggs in the morning with vegetables instead of what we normally eat. When she asked if I would take part, I respectfully told her, “no sorry. I don’t eat animal products.”
She immediately rolled her eyes and said “Give me a f*cking break!!” She went on this whole rant about how diet trends never work, saying that all I’m doing is replacing animal protein with carbs. She told me that people who don’t eat meat only gain fat and never gain the muscle they want. She EVEN went as far as to take me aside and tell me a story about how insecurity shouldn’t stop my goal of a “sustainable” diet.
I found it all, frankly, a bit disrespectful! This is coming from the same woman who told me that I was looking amazing, who complimented my leg muscles and ab definition that I worked my ass off for. I find it all very annoying, but I really don’t know how to respond in a respectful and factual manner. Sure, I have done my research, but it’s more ethical than health related. I know you guys are very informed on veganism. What should I respond?
So I’ve been working with my personal weight trainer for around a year now. I have made immense progress. Although I weigh the same, I am very obviously thinner and have more lean muscle. I am not a naturally skinny person, so the progress I have made is great! Not to be annoying about this, but I am EXTREMELY proud of myself; and I achieved all of this with a healthy vegan diet.
As we were training this morning (other ladies were around as well and we were all talking to each other) she interrupted to say that she had a “breakfast challenge” for us. It involved eating a certain amount of eggs in the morning with vegetables instead of what we normally eat. When she asked if I would take part, I respectfully told her, “no sorry. I don’t eat animal products.”
She immediately rolled her eyes and said “Give me a f*cking break!!” She went on this whole rant about how diet trends never work, saying that all I’m doing is replacing animal protein with carbs. She told me that people who don’t eat meat only gain fat and never gain the muscle they want. She EVEN went as far as to take me aside and tell me a story about how insecurity shouldn’t stop my goal of a “sustainable” diet.
I found it all, frankly, a bit disrespectful! This is coming from the same woman who told me that I was looking amazing, who complimented my leg muscles and ab definition that I worked my ass off for. I find it all very annoying, but I really don’t know how to respond in a respectful and factual manner. Sure, I have done my research, but it’s more ethical than health related. I know you guys are very informed on veganism. What should I respond?
I doubt she went to school for 4 years to study food nutrition like certified dieticians do. People are so quick to comment about your way of eating as soon as you tell them you vegan, just keep your thoughts to yourself, I’m healthy!